Iran FM: Next round of talks to focus on continuation Tehran’s nuclear energy program

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Feb. 15 that the upcoming negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 will be focused on the continuation of Iran's nuclear energy program and building up the necessary trust about its peaceful nature.

"The talks will focus on the technicalities to direct discussions over the Iranian nuclear energy program in a constructive direction," he explained.

He went on to note that the talks with the P5+1 will be the beginning of a process that will lead to the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action- which was signed by the two sides last November - within a year.

"Reaching an agreement within six months is possible if the other side shows good will," Zarif added.

"The main problem is the Iranian nation's mistrust of the behavior of Western countries, especially the United States," Iranian minister noted.

He further called on Western countries not to take any measures which could further undermine the trust of the Iranian nation.

"Both sides at the same time will try to take steps to build mutual trust," Zarif said, adding that the Joint Plan of Action has given the West a chance to remove the mistrust of the Iranians.

Zarif made remarks in a televised interview on Feb. 15.

Iran and the P5+1 will resume talks over Tehran's nuclear energy program in Austria on Feb. 18.

The upcoming talks in Vienna come as part of efforts to finalize an interim nuclear deal which was struck between Iran and the P5+1 back in November.